Behind every powerful performance is a story unfolding quietly, often far from the spotlight. The Backstage Foundation exists in that space, where movement becomes meaning and dance becomes a pathway to confidence, belonging, and opportunity for young people who might not otherwise have access to the arts.
Founded by longtime dance educator Kari Hovde, the Backstage Foundation is a nonprofit dedicated to supporting underserved youth ages 6 to 19 through dance and performing arts education. But this work goes far beyond technique and choreography. At its core, the foundation uses dance as a tool for youth development, self-expression, and character building within a safe, inclusive community.
Hovde’s belief is simple and deeply lived: dance is not just an art form or a sport. It is a teacher of life. Through teamwork, discipline, creativity, and problem-solving, young dancers learn skills that serve them far beyond the studio. For many, the dance community becomes a place of stability, healing, and connection. Sometimes, it is the safest space they know.
The Backstage Foundation is guided by three clear values that shape everything it does: experience, community, and opportunity. These values act as a compass, influencing how programs are designed, how partnerships are formed, and how youth are supported at every level.
Experience means meeting young people where they are, honoring their unique stories and circumstances, and responding with empathy and intention. Community reflects the foundation’s commitment to inclusivity, transparency, and shared voices, creating environments where young people feel seen, heard, and supported. Opportunity is about building sustainable pathways that empower youth to grow, dream, and lead, not just for today, but for their future.
Through scholarship programs, the foundation supports dancers locally, nationally, and internationally who face financial barriers but show passion and potential. It also partners with community centers and Boys & Girls Clubs to provide free dance classes for youth who have never had access to professional instruction. These programs run in sessions, giving students not only training, but performance opportunities at festivals, fairs, and the foundation’s annual showcase.
For older students, programs like Steps to Success bring dance into high schools with a career-focused lens. Youth learn choreography for camera, leadership skills, and how creativity can translate into real-world opportunities. The foundation also offers assistant teaching roles, helping young dancers learn how to lead, mentor, and manage classrooms, skills that build confidence and professionalism.
One of the most meaningful initiatives is the Backstage Pass program, a youth volunteer and service pathway open to dancers and non-dancers alike. Participants earn accredited volunteer hours while learning the value of giving back. Youth serve through event support, creative roles like photography and social media, administrative projects, and community outreach. Many go on to apply for Community Service Award Scholarships, reinforcing the idea that service and leadership matter.
Inclusion is not an afterthought at the Backstage Foundation. Adaptive dance programs, partnerships with organizations like Youth for Freedom, and service projects designed for hearing-impaired children reflect a commitment to ensuring that everyone gets to dance. These experiences teach empathy, communication, and leadership, while reminding youth that creativity can bring people together across differences.
All of this work comes together on stage at the In the Spotlight Annual Showcase, happening Saturday, May 2, 2026, at the Kirkland Performance Center. This evening is more than a performance. It is a celebration of resilience, artistry, and the future of dance. Audiences will experience breathtaking choreography by renowned artists, performed by pre-professional dancers whose passion and energy fill the room.
The showcase is also an invitation. An invitation to support the arts. To invest in youth. To witness what happens when talent is met with opportunity and community. Every ticket supports programs that open doors, build confidence, and create safe spaces where young people can thrive.
The Backstage Foundation believes today’s youth are not disconnected or unmotivated. They are creative, driven, and full of ideas, waiting to be nurtured and trusted. Through dance, they learn to show up, work together, express emotion, and lead with heart.
On May 2, the curtain will rise, but the real impact of Backstage Foundation will be found long after the final bow, in the lives of young people who now believe they belong, they matter, and their dreams are worth pursuing.
The Backstage Foundation believes today’s youth are not disconnected or unmotivated. They are creative, driven, and full of ideas, waiting to be nurtured and trusted.
At its core, the foundation uses dance as a tool for youth development, self-expression, and character building within a safe, inclusive community.